Surface-treating machine



April 15, 1958 H. c. STIEGLITZ 2,330,410

SURFACE-TREATING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. #5112 r 6'. 87756: rz

A ORN EYS April 15, 1958 c, s L T 2,830,410

SURFACE-TREATING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. f/ENR r 61 82-1504 rz ATT RNEYS April 15, 1958 H. c. STIEGLITZ SURFACE-TREATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 5, 1954 INVENTOR. Have 6: She-aura m9 #9 o no 3 we mQ 8 8 FL R. mg on. i n

ATTORNEYS April 15, 1958 H. c. STIEGLITZ SURFACE-TREATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 5, 1954 m9 09 v: m

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INVENTOR. flewev C. ST/ECL/TZ 0- ORNEYS April 15, 1958 H. c. STIEGLITZ SURFACE-TREATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 5, 1954 mom INVENTOR. HEN/er C. Snscurz BY m4. 4.. I {ATTORNEYS mmm 0mm United States SURFACE-TREATING MACHINE Application April 5, 1954, Serial No. 420,889

8 Claims. or. 51-64) This invention relates to a surface-treating machine and more particularly to a machine for treating complex surfaces of an article such as the surfaces of circumferentially spaced radially extending blades of a vane wheel.

In the manufacture of inducer vane wheels for turbojet engines, it is necessary to polish the air flow passages for efiiciency of air flow and reduction of stress concentration points. In the past, the most common way of polishing these wheels has been to spend long arduous hours of hand work, first blending adjoining areas with rotary files to remove tool marks and mismatches that have resulted from the machining of these wheels and then to follow with a lot of scrubbing with successively finer grades of abrasive cloth until the finish requirements are met. In all cases, this scrubbing and polishing requires the utmost degree'of skill so as not to destroy the close dimensional tolerances required of the finished pieces.

There have heretofore been developed a few special single purpose machines to perform some of this required work. However, none of the machines, to applicants knowledge, were ever universal in scope, consistent in operation or reliable in performance.

The general object of this invention, accordingly, is to provide an improved surface-treating machine and more particularly a machine for treating complex surfaces of an article such as the surfaces of circumferentially spaced radially extending blades of a vane wheel, to eliminate the necessity of extensive hand work, and to achieve greater uniformity.

In the machine of this invention, a member of surfacetreating material, such as an abrasive belt, is urged against the surface of an article and then relative movement between the article and the surface-treating member is effected, in a direction generally parallel to the surface to be treated, to thereby efiect treating of the surface.

Preferably, the surface-treating member may be reciprocated with the article or work-piece being maintained in fixed position relative to the direction of movement of the surface-treating member. Most preferably, the surface-treating member may be reciprocated vertically with the vertical position of the article being fixed during the surface-treating operation.

According to a specific feature of the invention, the article is reciprocated to a limited extent in a direction at an angle to, and preferably transverse to, the direction of reciprocable movement of the surface-treating member. The reciprocation of the article is at a nonharmonic rate relative to the reciprocation of the surfacetreating member so that there will be no continuous pattern of movement of the surface-treating member relative to the workpiece and a uniform treatment is achieved irrespective of non-uniformities in the surface-treating member.

The machine may preferably comprise a frame with the surface-treating member being supported by a carriage mounted for vertically reciprocable movement on atent ice the frame and with means on the carriage for resiliently urging the surface-treating member against the article surface. This arrangement simplifies the drive of the surface-treating member relative to the article. According to a further specific feature of the invention, the drive for the surface-treating member support carriage may preferably comprise a crank shaft rotatable about a horizontal axis above the carriage with a link pivotally connected to the crank shaft at a point spaced from its axis and pivotally connected to a central point on the carriage for supporting and actuating the same.

Another feature of the invention resides in the support of the article-support means for movement into and out of cooperative relation to the surface-treating means. This is particularly advantageous when the article is a vane wheel having circumferentially spaced radially extending blades in that, after treating the surfaces of one blade, the vane wheel may be moved out of cooperative relation to the surface-treating means and then indexed for engagement of another blade with the surface-treating means.

Another feature of the invention resides in the support of the article or work-piece. According to this feature, a first carriage is mounted for vertical movement on the frame of the machine and a second carriage is mounted for reciprocable horizontal movement on the first carriage and is arranged for supporting the article. The first carriage may be raised and lowered to move the article into and out of cooperative relation to the surfacetreating means, which is a distinct advantage, particularly when the article is a vane wheel, as pointed out above. In accordance with a specific aspect of this feature, means for efiecting reciprocable horizontal movement of the second carriage are mounted on the frame and the second carriage is moved into and out of cooperative relation to such actuating means simultaneously with the movement of the article into and out of cooperative relation to the surface-treating means.

Accordingly, the actuating means for such second carriage may be mounted directly in the frame of the machine and, further, the horizontal reciprocation of the second carriage is automatically stopped when the first carriage is lowered to move the article out of cooperative relation to the surface-treating means.

Another feature of the invention is the combination of the carriage arrangement for supporting the article for horizontal reciprocable movement with the carriage supporting the surface-treating means for vertically reciprocable movement. This combination, of course, simplifies the construction and operation of the machine.

According to still another specific feature of the invention, the carriage for supporting the surface-treating means for vertically reciprocable movement on the machine frame and the carriage for supporting the article for vertical movement into and out of cooperative relation to the surface-treating means may be mounted on a common vertical guide supported from the frame. Most preferably, this guide may comprise a pair of spaced parallel bars or the like which serve to maintain the carriages in accurately aligned relation. Further, of course, the use of a single guide for both carriages makes possible a simple, economical construction.

The machine is preferably used for treating surfaces of circumferentially spaced radially extending blades of a vane wheel with the vane wheel being supported with one of the blades thereof extending vertically and being mounted for horizontally reciprocable movement. Most preferably, the vane wheel may be mounted on a shaft which is axially reciprocable and which is rotatable to index the vane wheel.

The means for effecting axial movement of the vane wheel may preferably comprise a cam member journaled for rotation in the frame of the machine with a cam follower being connected to the vane wheel-supporting shaft and being urged into engagement with the cam. The cam follower may be moved into and out of engagement with the rotatable cam member by vertical movement of the support carriage for the vane wheel.

A highly important feature of the present invention resides in the manner of engagementof the surface-treating member with the article surface. According to one important aspect of this feature, the surface-treating member may be of a flexible material, for example, an abrasive cloth, and a plurality of fingers are provided for independently urging separate portions of the flexible surface-treating member into engagement with the article surface. This arrangement achieves a more uniform pressure of engagement between the surface-treating member and the various surface portions of the article, particularly when the article has a complex surface contour.

Preferably, a pad of flexible material may be disposed between the flexible surface-treating member and the fingers so as to distribute the force applied by the fingers over greater areas.

When the machine is employed for treating opposite surfaces of a relatively thin article, such as the opposite surfaces of the blade of a vane wheel, a pair of surfacetreating members may be simultaneously engaged with the opposite surfaces of the article. According to this invention, resilient means may act between the means holding the surface-treating members against the opposite surfaces of the article so that the forces urging the surface-treating members against the opposite surfaces of the article are balanced.

Most preferably, a pair of pivoted fingers or arms may be utilized to hold the surface-treating members against the opposite surfaces of the article with resilient means acting between such fingers or arms. For simplicity, and to facilitate achievement of the balanced forces, the arms or fingers may be pivoted on a common axis.

According to a specific feature, the fingers may have intermediate portions pivoted on a common axis with end portions arranged in opposed relation for holding the pair of surface-treating members against the opposite surfaces of the article with resilient means acting between the opposite end portions of the fingers for urging the first-mentioned end portions together to exert balanced forces urging the members against the opposite surfaces of the article. The fingers may thus be mounted in generally scissor-like relation.

When the machine is utilized for treating opposite surfaces of a relatively thin article, a plurality of fingers are preferably employed for urging separate portions of each flexible surface-treating member into engagement with the article to achieve uniform pressure engagement between the flexible surface-treating member and the surfaces of the article. Most preferably, the fingers may be disposed in pairs with the end portions of the fingers of each pair acting to urge the surface-treating members into engagement with the opposite surfaces of the article.

For this purpose, of course, resilient means may act between each pair of fingers and, of course, the fingers may be in generally scissor-like relation.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for moving the surface-treating member out of pressure engagement with the surface of the article. According to this feature, a plurality of fingers pivoted on a common axis have end portions urged toward the surface of the article to hold a flexible surface-treating member thereagainst and cam means are provided rotatable on an axis parallel to such common axis for pivoting all of the fingers to move the end portions thereof away from the surface of the article.

When the machine is employed for treating the surfaces of circumferentially spaced radially extending blades of a vane wheel, the finger or fingers, urging the surfacetreating member or members, into engagement with the blade surfaces are preferably of elongated form and extend generally parallel to the blade being surface-treated, with the direction of relative movement of the finger and the vane wheel being generally parallel to the finger or the blade being treated. With this arrangement, the blades of the vane wheel may be very close together and get readily treated for the full length thereof. It may be noted that this i particularly advantageous when a pair, or pairs, of fingers are utilized to engage a pair of surface-treating members with the opposite surfaces of the blades since the operation can be readily performed even though the blades are very thin and very close together.

It might be noted that it is a distinct advantage to move the surface-treating member along the length of the blade rather than across it, since even if there are non-uniformities in the engagement of the surface-treating member with the blade, any marks caused by such non-uniformity will run the length of the blade and will not substantially weaken the blade.

A further important feature of the invention is the construction of the machine in a manner so that it will perform automatically the various operations necessary to treat the surfaces of a blade of a vane wheel. According to this feature, the wheel is supported on a first carriage which is movable upwardly to position one blade of the wheel between a pair of surface-treating members supported from a second carriage. A pair of fingers on the second carriage are then actuated to engage the surfacetreating members with the opposite surfaces of the blade. The second carriage is then automatically reciprocated vertically for a predetermined time interval after which the fingers are actuated away from the blade. The first carriage is then lowered to dispose the surface-treating members out of the path of the blades of the wheel and the wheel is then indexed about it axis so that another blade may be treated.

According to still another feature of the invention, the surface treating members may be in the form of belts or strips of abrasive cloth or the like and supplied from rolls mounted on the vertically reciprocable carriage. After each blade has been treated or polished, the strip or belt may be moved to provide a fresh portion thereof for engagement with the next blade to be treated.

An object of this invention, accordingly, is to provide an improved machine for treating surfaces of an article.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved machine for treating the surfaces of blades of a vane wheel.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved machine for treating a surface of an article in which a surface-treating member is reciprocated in a direction generally parallel to the article surface while a relatively small reciprocable movement of the article is effected in a direction angularly related to the direction of movement of the surface-treating member and at a non-harmonic rate relative to the reciprocation of the surface-treating member.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved surface-treating machine embodying a reciprocable carriage for supporting a surface-treating member and improved means for reciprocating such carriage.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved surface-treating machine embodying an improved support carriage for the article or work-piece.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a surface-treating machine having an improved combination between a surface-treating means support carriage and an article-support carriage.

A further and highly important object of this invention is to provide improved means for engaging a surfacetreating member, or members, with surfaces of articles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved machine in which various operations necessary to treat the surfaces of a vane wheel blade are per formed in automatic sequence.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved surface-treating machine which is readily constructed, efiicient, durable, easily operated and economically constructed from a minimum number of parts.

This invention contemplates other and more specific objects, features and advantages which will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a machine constructed according to the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along lines IV-IV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VV of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VIVI of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VII-VII of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VIIIVIII of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IXIX of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the fluid and electrical system utilized in the machine of Figure 1, and

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line XIXI of Figure 4.

Reference numeral generally designates a surfacetreating machine constructed according to the principles of this invention, which machine 20 is particularly designed for treating surfaces of circumferentially spaced radially extending blades 21 of a vane wheel 22. The wheel 22 has a hub portion 23 which is supported from a carriage 24 vertically movable on a pair of spaced parallel vertical shafts or bars 25 and 26. The bar 25 may be supported by brackets 27, 28 and 29 projecting outwardly from the front face of a main frame 30 of the machine 20. The bar 26 may be similarly supported by brackets 31, 32 and 33.

Vertical movement of the carriage 24 may be controlled by means of a fluid cylinder 34 pivotally connected at its lower end to the lower end of the frame 30 by a bracket arrangement generally designated by reference numeral 35 and having a piston rod 36 pivotally connected to the lower end of the carriage 24 by a coupling structure 37. A suitable fluid, such as compressed air, may be applied to the cylinder 34 to elevate the carriage 24 to the position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

When the carriage 24 is so elevated, one of the blades 21 of the vane wheel 22 will be disposed between portions of a pair of surface-treating members 38 and 39. The members 38 and 39 may preferably take the form of belts or strips of abrasive cloth or paper which may be supplied from supply spools 40 and 41 which may be supported from a carriage 42 by means of brackets generally designated by reference numerals 43 and 44, respectively.

The carriage 42, like the carriage 24, is mounted for vertical movement on the rods 25 and 26. After the carriage 24 is elevated by the cylinder 34 to the position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, to dispose one of the blades 21 between the belts 38 and 39, a finger assembly on the carriage 42, generally designated by reference numeral 45, may be actuated to resiliently urge the belts 38 and 39 against the opposite surfaces of the blade 21 disposed therebetween. The finger assembly 45 forms an important feature of the present invention and will be described in detail hereinafter.

After the finger assembly 45 is actuated, the upper carriage 42 is then reciprocated so that the belts 38 and 39 will traverse the opposite surfaces of the blade 21 therebetween and thus polish the blade. This reciprocable movement is achieved from a crank shaft 46 through a link 47 pivotally connected to the upper end of the upper carriage 42 through a coupling 48 and pivotally connected to a wheel 49 splined to the shaft 46, by means of a coupling 50. The coupling 50 may include a pin 51 selectively engageable in any one of a number of openings 52 in the wheel 49 spaced varying distances from the axis of the shaft 46, so that the length of stroke is adjustable.

After the carriage 42 is reciprocated for a length of time suflicient to properly treat the surfaces of the blade 21 engaged between the belts 38 and 39, reciprocable movement of the carriage 42 may be stopped, preferably at its uppermost position. The finger assembly 45 is then actuated to release the pressure on the belts 38 and 39, and the cylinder 34 may then be actuated to lower the carriage 24 to a position in which the belts 38 and 39 are out of the path of the blades 21 of the vane wheel 22.

The vane wheel 22 may then be indexed about its axis to position another one of the blades 21 in alignment with the belts 38 and 39. Simultaneously, a belt feed mechanism, which will be described in detail hereinafter, may be actuated to position fresh portions of the belts 38 and 39 for engagement with the blade 21. The cylinder 34 may then be again actuated to elevate the carriage 24 and position the new blade 21 between the belts 38 and 39, to start a new cycle of operation.

Means are preferably provided for flowing a liquid over the blade 21 being treated and the portions of the belts 38 and 39 in engagement therewith, to cool the blade and the belts, and to improve the cutting action. For this purpose, a reservoir 53 containing a supply of a coolant liquid such as water or oil, is disposed below the wheel 22. A pump 54 has an inlet communicating with the reservoir 53 below the level of liquid therein through a conduit 55 and an outlet connected through a conduit 56 with a valve 57 having a manually actuatable handle 58, the valve being connected through a flexible hose 59 with the tube 60 arranged to direct the flow of the liquid over the blade 21 being treated. The flexible hose 59, of course, allows reciprocation of the carriage 42 without impeding continuous flow of the liquid. The liquid, of course, flows over the wheel 22 and back into the reservoir 53.

As shown in the top plan view of Figure 3, the crank shaft 46 is journaled for rotation in a pair of brackets 61 and 62 secured to the top of the frame 30. The shaft 46 is connected through a coupling 63 to an output shaft 64 of a gear reduction unit 65 having an input shaft 66 with a pulley 67 keyed thereto. The pulley 67 is coupled through a belt 68 to a pulley 69 secured to the shaft 70 of an electric motor 71 supported from the frame 30 by means of a bracket 72. The motor 71 may, for example, be a one-third horsepower, four hundred forty volt, three phase, sixty cycle, eighteen hundred R. P. M. motor.

The gear reduction unit 65 may have a second output shaft 73 with a sprocket wheel 74 keyed thereto, the

wheel 74 being arranged to drive other parts of the machine through a chain 75 as will be described hereinafter.

According to a specific feature of the invention, the upper carriage 42 may be stopped only when at its uppermost position so as to minimize the distance of travel of the lower carriage 24 necessary to dispose the belts 38 and 39 and the finger assembly 45 out of the path of the blades 21, to thus minimize the length of stroke of the actuating rod 36. For this purpose, a disk 76 is secured to the shaft 64 for conjoint rotation with the crank shaft 46. The micro-switch 77 is secured to the top of the frame 30 and has an actuating arm 78 disposed below and in alignment with the disk 76. A screw, or the like, may project radially outwardly from a proper point of the periphery of the disk 76 for engagement with the end of the switch actuating arm 78 to actuate the micro-switch 77 only when the upper carriage 42 is at the upper end of its vertically reciprocable movement. The operation of the micro-switch 77 in controlling the stopping of the carriage 42 will be described in detail hereinafter in connection with the electrical circuit diagram.

Important features of the present invention reside in the finger assembly 45 for holding the surface-treating members or belts 38 and 39 in engagement with the opposite surfaces of the blade 21 being treated or polished. This assembly 45 comprises a plurality of fingers 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91 and 92 arranged to urge the belt .38 toward engagement with one surface of the blade 21 being treated and a second plurality of fingers 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102,

103, 104, 105 and 106 arranged to urge the belt 39 toward engagement with the other surface of the blade 21 being treated.

The fingers 79-106 may preferably have intermediate portions pivoted on a common shaft 107 projecting outwardly from an embossrnent 108 of the carriage 42, and the fingers 79-106 are preferably arranged in pairs in generally scissor-like relation. For example, the fingers 79 and 93 form one pair, the fingers 80 and 94 form another pair, the fingers 81 and 95 form a third pair, etc.

To urge the lower ends of the fingers 79-106 toward the respective surfaces of the blade 21 being treated, resilient means may be provided for acting between the fingers of each pair. Most preferably, such resilient means may comprise a plurality of bands of rubber or other elastic material acting in tension between the upper ends of the fingers of each pair. Such bands are indicated generally by reference numeral 109.

The fingers 79-106 may be held in position on the shaft 107 by means of a collar 110 secured to the shaft 107 adjacent the end thereof with a helical compression spring 111 disposed between the collar 110 and the outermost finger 93 to hold the fingers in proper assembly.

It will be noted that each pair of fingers acts independently of any other pair of fingers so that the surfacetreating members may be urged-into uniform pressure engagementwith the opposite surfaces of the article under treatment, regardless of variations in the thickness and contour of the article. Further, since the fingers act in pairs, the forces exerted against the opposite surfaces of the article are balanced.

It should further be noted that the fingers are of a relatively thin material, such as sheet metal, and that a large number of fingers can be disposed in compact relationship for urging the surface-treating member into engagement with even a very small area of the article being treated. However, there is a limit as to how thin the fingers can be made, and it is therefore desirable to provide some resilient pressure distributing material between the fingers and the flexible belts. For this purpose, a pad 112 of rubber or a similar resilient material may be disposed between the lower ends of fingers 79-92 and the belt 38, and a like pad 113 may be disposed between the lower ends of the fingers 93-106 and the belt 39.

To guide the belt 38 over the pad 112, a roller 1.14 may be journaled between a pair of bracket members 115 and 116 secured to the finger 79, and to guide the belt 39 over the pad 113, a roller 117 may be journaled between a pair of bracket members 118 and 119 secured to the finger 93.

As shown best in Figure 4, the pads may be inclined to the horizontal with the rollers inclined relative to the vertical so that the belts extend across the blade being polished at an angle thereto. This is desirable with a common type of vane wheel configurations in which the junction between the blades and hub is at an angle to the wheel axis.

To further support the belts 38 and 39 and to actuate the belts to provide a fresh surface-treating surface when a new blade is to be treated, a belt guide and feed mechanism generally designated by reference numeral 120 is secured to the underside of the carriage 42 behind the lower portions of the fingers 79-106. This assembly will be described more in detail hereinafter.

A further feature of the finger assembly 45 is in the provision of means for simultaneously actuating all of the fingers away from the respective surfaces of the article or blade being polished. According to this feature, a pair of spaced parallel horizontal shafts 121 and 122 project outwardly from the carriage 42 between the upper end portions of the fingers 79-92 and 93-106, the rearward ends of the shafts 121 and 122 being journaled by the carriage 42 and the forward ends of the shafts being journaled by a generally U-shaped bracket 123 having legs secured to the front surface of the carriage 42. The shafts 121 and 122 have intermediate eccentric portions 121a and 122a each arranged to cammingly engage all of the fingers of the respective group to move the lower ends thereof away from the respective surface of the blade 21 being treated. The intermediate eccentric portion of the shaft 121 engages the fingers 79-92 while the intermediate eccentric portion of the shaft 122 engages all of the fingers 93-106.

For actuation of the shafts 121 and 122, a pair of gears 124 and 125 are respectively secured thereto, the gears 124 and 125 being meshed so that the shafts 121 and 122 are rotated in opposite directions. The inter mediate eccentric cam portions of the shafts 121 and 122 should, of course, be related so that with the rotation thereof in opposite directions, all of the fingers will be simultaneously actuated.

A rack 126 is guided for rectilinear movement in mesh with the gear 125 by means of a guide plate 127 secured to the front face of the carriage 42. The rack 126 is secured to a plunger 128 of a hydraulic cylinder 129 mounted on the front face of the carriage 42 by means of a bracket 130.

The belt guide and feed assembly 120 comprises a generally rectangular frame 131 having an upper wall 132 secured against the lower surface of the carriage 42 and a lower wall 133 which may preferably be disposed at an angle to the horizontal parallel to the pads 112 and 113. A guide member 134 may project downwardly from the forward end of the bottom wall 133 of the frame 131 and may have a pair of slots 134a and 13% arranged to receive and guide the belts 38 and 39. The belts 3S and 39 extend from the guide 134 between a pair of pinch rollers 135 and 136 journaled on shafts 137 and 138, respectively, extending downwardly from the lower wall 133 of the frame 131. A pinion 139 is afiixed to the roller 136 for rotation therewith and a rack 140 is guided for rectilinear movement in mesh with the pinion 139 by means of a bracket 141 secured to the undersurface of the bottom wall 133 of the frame 131.

To actuate the rack 140, a hydraulic cylinder 142 is secured to the upper surface of the lower wall 133 by a bracket 143 and has a plunger 144 connected to the rack 140 through a vertically extending bar 145 movable in a slot 146 in the wall 133. Means are provided for auto matically actuating the hydraulic cylinder 142 to feed the belts 38 and 39, as will be described in detail hereinafter in connection With the schematic electrical and fluid diagram.

It should be noted that the supply spools 40 and 41 for the belts 38 and 39 are carried by means of bolts 147 and 148 below plates 149 and 150 projecting outwardly from the brackets 43 and 44. The plates 149 and 150 may preferably be secured to the brackets 43 and 44 for adjustable movement about parallel horizontal axes so that the belts 38 and 39 may be fed at an angle from the supply spools 40 and 41. Further and highly important features of the invention are incorporated in the support of the vane wheel 22 from the carriage 24. In particular, a shaft 151 of relatively large diameter, is journaled for both rotational movement about a horizontal axis and axial movement in a bearing sleeve 152 in the carriage 24. The shaft 151 is arranged to support the vane wheel 22 and may be considered a carriage therefor. For this purpose, the shaft 151 may have an enlarged hub portion 153 arranged to receive the hub 23 of the vane wheel 22 thereagainst with a pilot shaft 154 projecting outwardly from the center of the hub 153 to extend through the hole in the center of the vane wheel 22, the shaft 154 having a reduced diameter externally threaded outer end portion 155 arranged to receive a hand Wheel 156 which may be manually actuated to urge a clamping plate 157 into tight frictional engagement with the hub 23 of the vane wheel 22.

To further guide the shaft 151 and to hold the bearing sleeve 152 in position, an annular plate 158 may be secured to the outer surface of the carriage 24 as by means of bolts 159, and may be arranged to receive a sealing gasket 160 to retain lubricant between the shaft 151 and the bearing sleeve 152.

The shaft 151 is arranged to be reciprocated axially to a limited extent to reciprocate the vane Wheel 22 in the direction of its axis and to achieve relative movement between the blade 21 being treated and the surface-treating belts 38 and 39 in a direction transverse to, or angularly related to, the main direction of relative movement, which is in a direction generally parallel to the blade 21 being treated. The purpose of this provision is to obviate any fixed pattern of relative movement and to prevent the formation of any pattern on the surface being treated. Accordingly, this limited reciprocating movement is at a non-harmonic rate relative to the main reciprocable movement. That is, the rate of the limited reciprocating movement is not equal to the rate of the main reciprocating movement multiplied or divided by an integer number but the two are so related that a large number of movements are required before any pattern of movement is repeated.

As shown in Figures 2 and 8, a follower member 161 is secured to the rearward end of the shaft 151 and is engageable with the cam face of a swash plate 162 rotatable about a horizontal axis in spaced parallel relation to the axis of the shaft 151, when the carriage 24 is in its operative position as illustrated.

To secure the cam follower 161 to the shaft 151, it may have an externally threaded rearward end portion screwed into an internally threaded bore in the rearward end of the shaft 151, and the follower 161 may be locked into proper position by means of a lock nut 164.

To urge the follower 161 into engagement with the swash plate cam 162, at least one, and preferably a pair of collars 165 are secured to the rearward end of the shaft 151 with a helical compression spring 166 disposed about the shaft 151 between the collars 165 and the rear ward face of the carriage 24.

The swash plate cam 162 is atfixed to a shaft 167 journaled for rotation in the main frame 30 by means of bearing structure generally designated by reference numeral 168, a ball thrust bearing assembly 169 being preferably provided between the rear of the swash plate 162 and the main frame 30.

The shaft 167 projects through the main frame 30 with a sprocket wheel 17 being secured to the rearward end thereof, the sprocket wheel 170 being meshed with the chain 75 which, as described previously, is driven from the drive motor 71 through the gear reduction unit 65.

It might be here noted that the shaft 167 intermediate its ends carries a sheave 171 which drives a sheave 172 connected to the coolant pump 54, through a belt 173.

It will be apparent that when the main drive motor 71 is energized, the upper carriage 42 will be reciprocated vertically while the shaft 151 forming a support carriage for the vane wheel 22 will be reciprocated horizontally, to obviate the formation of any pattern in the surfaces of the blade 21 being treated.

It may be noted that the swash plate 162 may be provided with a beveled edge as indicated by reference numeral 174 so that irrespective of the position of the swash plate 162, the carriage 24 may be moved up and down to engage and disengage the follower 161 and the swash plate 162.

It may at this point be noted that to limit upward movement of the carriage 24 and to accurately position the follower 161 relative to the swash plate 162 as well as to accurately position the vane wheel 22 relative to the surface-treating means, a bolt 175 may be threaded into a bore in the lower surface of the bracket 28, the bolt 175 being locked in position by a nut 176.

As previously discussed, the vane wheel 22 may be indexed about its axis after each blade 21 is polished, to position another blade for the polishing or surfacetreating operation. For this purpose, a ratchet wheel 177 is disposed on the shaft 151 between the compression spring 166 and the rear face of the carriage 24. The ratchet wheel 177 has a key-way for receiving a key 178 which also rides in an axially extending key-way 179 in the shaft 151 so that the ratchet wheel 177 is locked against rotation relative to the shaft 151, but relative axial movement therebetween is permitted.

A generally ring-shaped plate member 180 is disposed about the ratchet wheel 177 and pivotally carries a pawl member 181 urged toward the periphery of the ratchet wheel 177 by a spring 182. When the plate 180 is rotated in one direction (counter-clockwise as viewed in Figure 9), the pawl 181 will engage a tooth of the ratchet wheel 177 to rotate the ratchet wheel. On movement in the reverse direction, the pawl 181 can pivot against the action of the spring 182 without rotating the ratchet wheel 177.

To rotate the plate 180, it may have an integral arm portion 183 connected through a coupling 184 to the plunger 185 of a fluid-actuated cylinder 186 secured to the rear face of the carriage 24 by a bracket 187. The cylinder 186 may preferably be actuated by compressed air either manually or automatically, as will be described in detail hereinafter in connection with the schematic fluid and electrical diagram of Figure 10.

To accurately fix the angular position of the ratchet wheel 177, and thus accurately fix the angular position of the vane wheel 22, the ratchet wheel 171 may be preferably provided with a plurality of recesses 188 in the rearward face thereof disposed at equal distances from the axis of the shaft 151 and spaced equal distances circumferentially. A pair of brackets 189 and 190 have arms 191 and 192, respectively, disposed behind the peripheral portion of the ratchet wheel 177, springpressed detent means 193 and 194 being carried by the arms 191 and 192 respectively and being arranged to engage the recesses 188. The details of the detent means 193 and 194 are not illustrated for the reason that any conventional construction could be used.

As previously indicated, electrical and fluid actuated means are provided for effecting either manual or automatic operation of the main drive motor 71, the pneumatic cylinder 34 for raising and lowering the lower carriage 24, the hydraulic cylinder 129 for actuating the finger assembly 45, the hydraulic cylinder 142 for actuating the belt or tape indexing assembly 120 and the pneumatic cylinder 186 for indexing the vane wheel 22 about its axis.

In general, the control arrangement may comprise an electric control unit 195 which houses manually actuatable control switches and buttons, an electric box 196 mounted on the left side of the main frame 30 (Figure 1) which houses contactors, transformers and the like,

. arranged to be connected to a source of compressed air,

compressed air control units 203, a pressure gauge 204, and various control valves and the like.

Referring now to the schematic diagram of Figure 10, compressed air from the inlet conduit 202 and control units 203 may flow through a conduit 205 to T fittings 206, 207 and 208 from which it may flow through conduits 209, 210, 211 and 212 to electrically controlled valves 213, 214, 215 and 216, respectively. The valve 213 is arranged to control a hydraulic control valve 217 which, in turn, controls actuation of the belt feed cylinder 142. The valve 214 is arranged to control the cylinder 34 which controls the raising and lowering of the lower carriage 24. The valve 215 may be mounted on the carriage 24 and control the vane wheel index cylinder 186. Since the carriage 24 is movable, the conduit 211 may be a flexible rubber hose, or the like. The valve 216 controls a hydraulic control valve 218 which, in turn, controls actuation of the finger-actuating control cylinder 129.

It may be noted that the valve 217 may be connected through flexible hoses 219 and 220 to couplings 221 and 222 mounted on the upper carriage 42, the couplings 221 and 222 being connected through conduits 223 and 224 to the cylinder 142. The valve. 218 may similarly be connectedthrough hoses 225 and 226 to couplings 227 and 228 on the upper carriage 42 which are, in turn, connected through conduits 229 and 230 to the finger mechanism control cylinder 129.

The pump 199 is arranged to be driven by an electric motor 231 which may preferably be a three phase, sixty cycle, four hundred and forty volt motor. The pump 199 has an inlet connected to the sump 198 and an outlet connected to the valve 201 which is a relief valve having an outlet connected through a T fitting 232 and a conduit 233 to the sump 198 to discharge liquid into the sump 198 when the outlet pressure of the pump exceeds a predetermined value. The valve 201 has a through passage from the outlet of the pump 199 which is connected to a T fitting 234 to the pressure gauge 200 and also to a T fitting 235 connected to the valve 217 through a conduit 236 and to the valve 218 through a conduit 237. A return for the hydraulic liquid is provided from the valves 217 and 218 through conduits 238 and 239, a T fitting 240 and the T fitting 232 and conduit 233.

By actuation of the electrically controlled air-actuated valves 213, 214, 215 and 216, the belt or tape index control cylinder 142, the cylinder 34 for raising and lowering the lower carriage 24, the vane wheel index 1 control cylinder 186, and the finger mechanism actuating cylinder 129 may be respectively controlled.

It might -'be noted that when the machine was initially designed, it was intended that all functions might be controlled by air cylinders. However, it was found that air cylinders large enough to actuate the finger mechanism and the belt index mechanism could not be conveniently mounted, and it was therefore necessary to use a hydraulic control for these mechanisms.

The electrical apparatus of the machine may be energized from a source of electricity which may be a source of three phase sixty cycle four hundred forty volt power connected to lines 241, 242 and 243. The lines 241, 242 and 243 may be connected to lines 244, 245, and 246, respectively, through ganged switches 247, 248 and 249 of a main on-ofl? switch 250. The lines 244, 245 and 246 are arranged to be connected to the main drive motor 71 through contacts 251, 252 and 253 of a contactor having an actuating coil 254 and a holding contact 255. The lines 244, 245 and 246 are also arranged to be connected to the drive motor 231 for the pump 199 through contacts 256, 257 and 258 of a second contactor having an actuating coil 259. Two of the lines, such as lines 244 and 245 are also connected to the primary 260 of a step-down transformer 261 having a hundred and ten volt secondary winding 262. One side of the winding 262 (the upper side in the schematic diagram) is connected to the actuating coils 254 and 259 and also to one side of a primary winding 263 of a second step-down transformer 264 having a low voltage (eight volt) secondary winding 265. The lower side of this secondary winding 265 is connected to each of the valves 213, 214, 215 and 216 and the upper side of this winding is arranged to be connected to other terminals of the valves through a circuit arrangement to be described in detail hereinafter.

The lower side of the hundred and ten volt secondary winding 262 is connected through a conductor 266 and through an emergency stop button switch 267 in the control unit to a terminal point 268.

The machine may be operated either manually or automatically depending upon the position of a manual-automatic switch 269 having a movable contact 270 connected to the circuit point 268 and selectively engageable with fixed contacts 271 and 272. The switch 269 is illustrated in the automatic position with the contact 270 in engagement with the contact 272.

To initiate operation of the machine, a start button switch 273 is depressed which will connect the circuit point 268 to one terminal 274 of a timer motor 275. The motor 275 has a second terminal 276 connected to the upper side of the hundred and ten volt secondary winding 262 so that the motor is energized when the start button switch 273 is depressed.

The motor 275 drives a plurality of cams 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283 and 284 arranged to actuate a plurality of switches 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291 and 292 in sequence with predetermined time intervals therebetween. The switch 285 is the first to be actuated and this switch is connected in parallel with the start button switch 273 so that the switch 273 may be released and the motor 275 will continue to run and drive the cams 277-284.

The cam 278 may then function to close the switch 286 which has one terminal connected to the upper side of the eight volt secondary winding 265 with the other terminal thereof being connected to a terminal 293 on the electrically controlled valve 214. The valve 214 also has a terminal 294 connected to the lower side of the eight volt winding 265 so that a circuit is completed from the winding 265 to the terminals 293 and 294. The valve 214 will then function to admit air under pressure to the cylinder 34 to raise the carriage 24 and to position one blade 21 of the vane wheel 22 between the surfacetreating belts 38 and 39.

The cam 279 then operates to close the switch 287 which has one terminal connected to the upper side of the eight volt secondary winding 265 with the other terminal thereof being connected to one terminal 295 of the valve 216, the valve 216 having another terminal 296 connected to the lower side of the eight volt winding 265, so that eight volts are applied between the terminals 295 and 296 of the valve 216. The valve 216 will then operate to admit air to the valve 218 in a manner such that hydraulic fluid under pressure is applied to one side of the cylinder 129 to cause the fingers 79-406 to be released to urge the belts 38 and 39 into engagement with the opposite surfaces of the blade 21 of the vane wheel 22.

The cam 280 may then operate to close the switch 288. The switch 288 has one terminal connected to the fixed contact 272 of the automatic-manual switch 269, which terminal 272 is connected through the movable contact 270 to the circuit point 268 in the automatic position of the switch 269. The other terminal of the switch 288 is connected to one side of the contactor actuating coil 254 so that the coil 254 is connected across the hundred and ten volt secondary 262. The contacts 251, 252, 253 and 255 will then be closed to energize the motor 71.

With the main drive motor 71 energized, the carriage 42 will be vertically reciprocated, the shaft 151 forming a support carriage for the vane wheel 22 will be reciprocated and the coolant pump 54 will be driven so that the blade 21 of the vane wheel will be polished.

After a predetermined time interval, sufficient for proper polishing or treating of the blade 21 of the vane wheel 22, the cam 280 will function to open the switch 288. This will not necessarily immediately deenergize the drive motor 71 because there is a circuit from the left side of the actuating coil 254 through the holding contact 255 and through the switch 77 to the circuit point 268. However, when the disk 76 reaches a position such that the carriage 42 is at the end of its upward travel, the switch 77 will be opened to thus deenergize the contactor actuating coil 254 and deenergize the motor 71.

The cam 281 may then function to open the switch 289. The switch 289 has one terminal connected to the upper side of the eight volt secondary transformer winding 265 with the other terminal thereof being connected to a terminal 297 of the electrically controlled air valve 216. As previously pointed out, this valve has another terminal 296 connected to the lower end of the winding 265 so that eight volts will be applied between terminals 296 and 297. The valve 216 will then function to admit air to the valve 218 in a manner such that the hydraulic fluid is applied to the cylinder 129 in a direction to move the fingers of the finger assembly 45 away from the opposite surfaces of the blade 21 of the vane wheel 22.

The cam 282 may then function to open the switch 290. This switch 290 has one terminal connected to the upper side of the winding 265 with its other terminal being connected to a terminal 298 of the electrically controlled air valve 214. A voltage of eight volts will then be applied between the terminals 294 and 298 of the valve 214 and the valve will be actuated in a manner such as to relieve air pressure on the cylinder 34 and allow the carriage 24 to lower.

The cam 283 may then function to open the switch 291, which has one terminal connected to the upper side of the eight volt secondary winding 265 with its other terminal connected to a terminal 299 of the electrically controlled valve 213 and also to a terminal 300 of the electrically controlled air valve 215. The valve 213 also has a terminal 301 connected to the lower side of the winding 265 and the valve 215 also has a terminal 302 so connected. The valve 213 will then function to admit air to the valve 217 in a manner such that the hydraulic fluid is applied to the cylinder 142 in a direction to index or feed the belts 38 and 39 to position fresh portions thereof for engagement with a blade of the vane wheel 22. The valve 215 functions to admit air to the air cylinder 186 in a direction to move the ring 180 counterclockwise (Figure 9) to index the vane wheel 22 about its axis with a new blade 21 in position aligned with the finger assembly 45.

The cam 284 may then function to close the switch 292 while the cam 283, of course, opens the switch 291. The switch 292 has one terminal connected to the upper side of the eight volt secondary winding 265 with its other terminal connected to a terminal 303 of the valve 213 and also to a terminal 304 of the valve 215. The valve 213 will then function to admit air to the valve 217 in a direction such that the hydraulic fluid as applied to the cylinder 142 to restore the same to its initial position. It should here be noted that means such as a pawl in the form of a leaf spring 139a engaged with teeth of the wheel 136, may be provided for effecting positive movement of the wheel 136 in one direction of rotation of the wheel 139 while preventing return move- '14 ment. Restoration of the cylinder 122 to its initial p0 sition will therefore not afiect the belts. The valve 215 will admit air to the cylinder 186 in a direction to restore the same to its initial position.

The cam 284 may then function to open the switch 292 after which the cam 277 may function to open the switch 285. The switch 285 is in circuit with the timer drive motor 275 so that the timer will be stopped and the cycle of automatic operation is ended. A new operation on the newly positioned blade 21 of the vane wheel 22 may then be initiated by depressing the start button switch 273. If desired, of course, the operation on the newly positioned blade could be initiated automatically. However, it is preferable that the operator of the machine should see that everything is in order for the polishing operation before each blade is polished or surface-treated.

It should have been previously noted that the actuating coil 259 for the hydraulic pump drive motor 231 must be energized before the automatic operation of the machine can take place. This is accomplished through a switch 305.

If desired, the various operations can be initiated manually instead of automatically. This is accomplished by actuating the switch 269 to its manual position with the contact 270 engaged with the contact 271. A switch button 306 may then be depressed to perform the function of switch 286 in raising the carriage 24, the switch 306 being in parallel with the switch 286. A switch button 307, in parallel with the switch 287, may then be actuated to cause closing movement of the fingers of the finger assembly 45. A switch button 308, which is connected in series with a normally closed stop button switch 309 and in series with the contacts 270, 271 of the automatic-manual switch 269 between the terminal point 268 and the left side of the contactor actuating coil 254, may then be actuated to energize the coil 254 and energize the main drive motor 71. After a length of time sufficient for proper polishing or treatment of the blade 21 of the vane wheel 22, the stop button switch 309 may be depressed. This will not immediately cause deenergization of the main drive motor 71 because the left side of the contactor actuating coil 254 is connected through the holding contact 255 and the switch 77 to the circuit point 268. However, the switch 77 will be opened when the carriage 42 reaches the end of its upward travel and then the actuating coil 254 will be deenergized to deenergize the motor 71.

It might be noted, at this point, that if for any reason it is desired to immediately stop operation of the machine, the emergency stop button 267 may be depressed.

After the main drive motor 71 is deenergized, a button switch 310, in parallel with the switch 289, may be closed to cause the fingers of the finger assembly 45 to open. A button switch 311, in parallel with the switch 290, may then be closed to cause the carriage 24 to lower. A button switch 312, in parallel with the switch 291 may then be closed to cause feed of the belts 38 and 39 and to simultaneously cause indexing of the vane wheel 22 about its axis. A button switch 313, in parallel with the switch 292, may then be closed to reset the belt feed mechanism and to reset the vane wheel index mechanism. The parts of the machine are then in their initial position and a new cycle of operation, either manual or automatic, may be initiated in the manners as heretofore described.

It will be apparent that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine for treating surfaces of circumferentially spaced radially extending blades of a vane wheel, a frame, a carriage arranged for supporting the vane wheel with one of the blades thereof extending vertically and mounted for horizontally reciprocable movement in the direction of the vane wheel axis, a second carriage mounted for vertically reciprocable movement on said frame, means on said second carriage for supporting a surface-treatingmember adjacent one surface of the vertically extending blade, means on said second carriage for resiliently urging the surface-treating member against said one surface, and means for driving said carriages to concurrently effect said reciprocable movement thereof.

2. In a machine for treating opposite surfaces of a relatively thin article, means for supporting a pair of flexible surface-treating members on opposite sides of the article, a plurality of pairs of fingers movable toward each other to engage the members, and resilient means acting between each pair of fingers for exerting balanced forces urging the surface-treating members against the opposite surfaces of the article.

3. In a machine for treating the surface of an article, a plurality of fingers pivoted on a common axis and having end portions urged in one direction for holding a flexible surface-treating member against the surface of the article, and cam means rotatable on an axis parallel to said common axis for pivoting all of said fingers to move said end portions away from the surface of the article.

4. In a machine for treating surfaces of circumferentially spaced radially extending blades of a vane wheel, means arranged for supporting the vane wheel, means for supporting a surface-treating member across a blade of the vane wheel, an elongated finger having an end portion urged toward the blade engaged by the surfacetreating member for holding the member in engagement therewith, and means for effecting relative movement of said vane wheel supporting means and said finger in a direction generally parallel to the blade engaged by the surface-treating member.

,5. In a machine for treating opposite surfaces of an elongated blade portion of an article, a pair of generally parallel elongated fingers having end portions urged together for holding a pair of surface-treating members against the opposite surfaces of the blade portion of the article, and means for effecting relative reciprocable movement of the article and said fingers with the blade portion of the article being moved in the direction of its length.

6. In a machine for treating opposite surfaces of an elongated blade portion of an article, a pair of generally parallel elongated fingers having end portions urged together for holding a pair of surface-treating members against the opposite surfaces of the blade portion of the article, and means for effecting relative reciprocable movement of the article and said fingers with the blade portion of the article being moved in the direction of its length and parallel to said fingers.

7. In a machine for treating surfaces of circumferentially spaced radially extending blades of a vane wheel, a frame, a first carriage vertically movable on said frame and arranged for supporting the vane wheel on a horizontal axis, a second carriage vertically reciprocable on said frame, a pair of fingers on said second carriage arranged for urging a pair of surface-treating members into engagement with the opposite surfaces of one blade of the vane wheel, means for elevating said first carriage for disposing one blade of the vane wheel between the surface-treating members, means for then actuating said fingers to engage the surface-treating members with the opposite surface of the blade, means for then reciprocating said second carriage, means for then actuating said fingers away from the blade, means for then lowering said first carriage, and means for then indexing the vane wheel about its axis.

' 8. In a machine for treating a surface of an article, a frame, a first carriage mounted for vertical movement on said frame, a second carriage mounted for reciprocable horizontal movement on said first carriage and arranged for supporting the article, surface-treating means on said frame, means on said frame for actuating said second carriage, and means for raising and lowering said first carriage for moving the article into and out of cooperative relation to said surface-treating means and for moving said second carriage into and out of cooperative relation to said actuating means therefor, said reciprocable horizontal movement of said second carriage being effected by said actuating means while the article is in cooperative relation with said surface-treating means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 390,178 Lyons Sept. 25, 1888 724,567 Gooley Apr. 7, 1903 1,134,508 Blevney Apr. 6, 1915 1,176,586 Megahan Mar. 21, 1916 1,475,536 Bonine Nov. 27, 1923 1,704,130 Hunt Mar. 5, 1929 1,836,121 Indge Dec. 15, 1931 1,840,231 Harrison Jan. 5, 1932 1,875,537 Williams Sept. 6, 1932 1,966,869 Owen July 17, 1934 1,988,025 Trendell Ian. 15, 1935 2,055,665 Moon Sept. 29, 1936 2,255,583 Holland Sept. 9, 1941 2,257,452 Binns Sept. 30, 1941 2,295,622 Alderman Sept. 15, 1942 2,353,861 Wallace July 18, 1944 2,489,453 Fouquet Nov. 29, 1949 2,543,236 Dackor Feb. 27, 1951 2,618,913 Plancon Nov. 25, 1952 2,622,372 Moulden Dec.'23, 1952 

